Logistics Firm DHL Announces Dhs100m Dubai Facility

Logistics company DHL announced plans to open its largest ground operations facility in the Middle East and North Africa in Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse district.

The new facility represents an investment of Dhs100 million and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2014, DHL said in a statement.

Spread across 185,844 sq ft, the new facility includes a 78,285 sq ft indoor sorting and loading area and a 46,648 sq ft office that will also serve as DHL’s new head office.

The facility will include “energy efficient” management systems, security, indoors loading and supply chain equipment.

“It will increase speed of service and ensure earlier deliveries, and late pick-ups,” DHL said.

Frank-Uwe Ungerer, country manager for DHL Express UAE, said: “DHL’s latest investment will help to further consolidate the global connectivity of the UAE by connecting the Middle East to DHL’s global network for at least the next 20 years, and thereby ensuring continued growth through improved transit times and network reliability.”

The GCC’s logistics market is estimated to have reached $27 billion in 2012, with the UAE alone accounting for revenues of $9 billion.

DHL currently has 261 service centers and service points and employs around 4,400 employees across the Middle East.